AUSTIN — As the fight for the Democratic nomination for governor heads toward a May 22 runoff, Houston businessman Andrew White on Tuesday called for debates with former Dallas County sheriff Lupe Valdez.

“The party’s nominee for governor — whether it’s me or Lupe — should begin spring training now for the fall campaign against Greg Abbott,” White, son of the late Democratic former Gov. Mark White, said in a statement. “A few debates between the two of us before the runoff would make the eventual nominee all the stronger. And who doesn’t love a good debate?”

Valdez’s spokesman, Kiefer Odell, said her campaign “will be glad to work out a debate schedule when the voters become more focused on the race, but this primary won’t be won on 30-second debate responses.”

It’s unclear how Valdez would fare in a debate, since she hasn’t revealed well-developed policy positions and her knowledge of state government has been called into question.

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Two Democrats running for Texas Governor are going to a runoff on May 22nd. Former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Houston investor Andrew White were the top two candidates in Tuesday's statewide primary. (March 7)

Media: Associated Press

White urged the Texas Democratic Party and media outlets to sponsor debates. His campaign pointed out that the format could range from televised forums to Facebook Live.

But Manny Garcia, deputy executive director of the state party, said it has “no plans to sponsor a debate at this time.”

Abbott, the Republican incumbent, is strongly favored in the general election, regardless of which Democrat wins the nomination.